Garment Dyed Linen Sweater // I was elated to see that J.Crew was selling my favorite summer sweater again this year. The neon amethyst is purple perfection! Tell me again, why is it so stinkin' hot in Swell Rio?

Leather Scallop Hoop Rings // When it comes to earrings, I typically stick to simple studs. The jade color and scalloped detail might be enough to sway me. These are just so fun and fabulous!

Portable Radio // I've wanted one of these for awhile, and this particular shade of green is my absolute favorite. The price tag isn't too shabby, either. I'm thinking this is one of those summertime essentials.

Elephant Hello Note Set // Sugar Paper added a handful of new arrivals that I can't help but drool over. Check. It. Out.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

THANKFUL FOR: Morning walks with Tripp and Beesly are my favorite. When we lived in Hawaii, walking wasn't really part of our routine and I missed this simple pleasure way more than I ever thought. Sure, Tripp frustrates me when he hears an unexpected sound and throws all three of us into traffic from time to time. Oy! And yes, Beesly likes to walk at a slower pace than I'd prefer. Goodness! In all honesty, it's probably not as relaxing as it should be, but I've grown to adore our trio of crazy. When I tie my shoes and grab their leashes, it's a sign the Best Friends Committee is in session. I still have moments when I find myself comparing life now to the way it was a year ago and I get confused as to which I prefer. I guess our walks, as nutty as they may be, remind me that we're exactly where we're supposed to be and that I should just be grateful for the present.

FEELING: Today I'm excited about everything! Well, I guess all this jubilee can be attributed to today's doctor's appointment, but you probably saw this one coming. At 20 weeks, Flyboy and I are more than ready to find out whether our bebe will be a boy or girl. I always thought I'd be the type of person who'd want to be surprised (shocker, I know); however, that was before I got knocked up. Ha Ha! Things kind of change when you realize it's actually happening. The planner in me prevails yet again, and I think we just want to know how to mentally prepare as best as we can. This is kind of a BIG deal! And to be completely honest, even though it's our reality, it stills feels so far away. The days feel REALLY long—you know how it is when there's a countdown to something HUGE—it feels like FOREVER. If all goes as planned, we're still 4.5 months away from meeting Little Fine. I guess finding out the gender makes us both feel a little closer to the person we'll meet in October. I'm sure once we find out whether it's a boy or girl, the excitement level will be kicked up a notch. Prepare yourself for oodles of excitement, my friends!

READING: Any time I feel overwhelmed, inadequate, or anxious, I've realized that it usually stems from the fact that I'm a perfectionist—a trait I believe is both a blessing and a curse. For every instance perfectionism has pushed me to be a tad more tenacious, there's also the dark side. Yep, it's the part of perfectionism where I automatically assume I'm not good enough or I won't be able to complete a task to my idea of excellence. It's ridiculous, but the feelings are real—it's just how I'm wired. While this trait can be an asset at times, it's mostly debilitating. The idea of bringing a child into the world scares the bejeezus outta me and I realized, with the help of my mom, that I wasn't allowing myself to enjoy the pregnancy because all aspects of my anxiety were rooted in my fear of not being perfect (at pregnancy, motherhood, etc.). Those closest to me embrace this part of me with open arms, but I don't want our kid(s) to feel this way. To better myself and keep this attribute in check, I've found a lot of comfort in books by Brené Brown and Anne Lamott. These two ladies are my cheap form of therapy. In fact, this particular passage from Lamott hit close to home recently—it was so on point that I found myself scribbling these words on a note card:

"There's a whole chapter on perfectionism in Bird by Bird, because it is the great enemy of the writer, and of life, our sweet messy beautiful screwed up human lives. It is the voice of the oppressor. It will keep you very scared and restless your entire life if you do not awaken, and fight back, and if you're an artist, it will destroy you....

...Oh my God, what if you wake up some day, and you're 65, or 75, and you never got your memoir or novel written; or you didn't go swimming in warm pools and oceans all those years because your thighs were jiggly and you had a nice big comfortable tummy; or you were just so strung out on perfectionism and people-pleasing that you forgot to have a big juicy creative life, of imagination and radical silliness and staring off into space like when you were a kid? It's going to break your heart. Don't let this happen. Repent just means to change direction—and NOT to be said by someone who is waggling their forefinger at you. Repentance is a blessing. Pick a new direction, one you wouldn't mind ending up at, and aim for that. Shoot the moon."

EATING: About a month ago, when things finally started to settle down, I shared a handful of recipes that Flyboy and I intended to try for dinner. Only one of those meals really stands out and that's The Cookie Rookie's Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa. It's easy, healthy, and so delish—FB has even requested it on a weekly basis. I realize that probably sounds like overkill, but I honestly don't mind. It's THAT good! Because FB is usually working late and I don't want to be hassled by the grill, I've opted to roast the salmon in the oven instead. It's just as tasty! For those of you who've dabbled with Whole30, this recipe qualifies. Woo Hoo!

WATCHING: When we moved into our base housing unit, there was nothing green growing in the front yard. Oh, the horror! Dust and dirt that remained from previous tenants slowly ate away at Flyboy. If decorating is m' thing, this was definitely his. So we concocted a few grassy game plans, and FB got to work. After battling unruly weeds and a persnickety root system, we decided we'd be happy to just have green ANYTHING grow in the front yard. It's hard for FB to admit this, but it's our only real option at this point. I must say that it looks quite lovely when it's freshly cut. You wouldn't even know it's a yard full of weeds. Ha Ha! To ease the pain, Flyboy insists on watching episode after episode of Yard Crashers. It's gotten out of control, really. If I could imbibe, I'm sure we could create a drinking game out of it. Sip every time Flyboy says "Look at the nice grass!" We'd all be blitzed.

LISTENING TO: Speaking of grass, I'm currently listening to the sweet sound of riding lawn mowers. Per Flyboy's request, I've been given the task to halt the maintenance team from trimming our weeds grass each week. Because we're trying to fill in various spots with grass seed, FB has opted to mow the yard on his own to ensure they don't plow over his hard work. We recently placed little red flags in each corner of the yard to remind them, but they don't seem to pick up on the subtle details. At any given point, I'm ready to jump away from my desk and start waving my hands to get them to stop the mowing madness. Wish me luck!

LOVING: I recently started using Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Vitamin C Body Oil, and I'm slightly obsessed. I'm not sure if it's because I'm pregnant, or because we live in an area of Texas where it's super dry, but it's exactly what my skin needed. As soon as I found out we were expecting, I spent a lot of time searching for the right lotions and creams. I like to use this one in the evenings before I hop into bed. It's a super-rich moisturizer; a little goes a long way. When I originally read about the body oil, I rolled my eyes at the fact that it supposedly "smells like vacation in a bottle." Much to my delight, it really does have a relaxing scent that transports me from Swell Rio to Maui in a matter of seconds. I think that's probably why I enjoy using it right before bedtime—suddenly it's 88 degrees and I'm seaside with the trade winds blowing. Oh, yeah!

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

After an extremely GLOOMY Memorial Day Weekend (What up with that, Swell Rio?!), a burst of color is just what I need to kick off the work week. Thankfully, that's exactly what you'll find in Sarah Martinez's abstract horizon paintings. They're SPECTACULAR! And if these nature-inspired and textural beauties aren't quite what you're looking for, take a look at Sarah's etsy shop, Snoogs and Wilde, for a darling selection of watercolor prints and cards. Does it get much cuter than a bear wearing a party hat? I didn't think so. While you get lost in Sarah's work, I better get back to assembling baby swag. Flyboy's in the house, and I need to take full advantage of his know-how. Come Thursday, we'll know if the bebe is a boy or girl, so Operation Nursery will be in full swing.

Now, tell me about your amazing three-day weekend. What did you do?! What did you eat?!

Oh, and please tell me the weather was fantabulous and that you spent oodles celebrating outdoors.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Hot Hues // Gillian MacLeod's illustrations make me giddy. Suddenly I want to doodle until I get dizzy.

Greer Chicago // While prepping this week's snail mail, it occurred to me that I should probably stock up on some new note cards. The Color Edge set is quite lovely, and this Forever Postage card is precious.

Embroidered Windowpane Top // Let's hope J.Crew has some sort of snazzy Memorial Day sale, because I could really go for this top in Sweet Persimmon or Warm Iris. Maybe if I order the tall and size up it would work while I'm preggo?!

Gin & Tonic // The long weekend calls for a summery cocktail, right?! Flyboy has been a real peach and hasn't had any Hendrick's since we found out I was expecting. Whattaguy! I might try to coerce him into treating himself to something fizzy and delish. He deserves it. And besides, why would you go without if you didn't have to?!

Flamingo // What is it about flamingos that screams summer? This illustration by Sofie Rolfsdotter is perfection!

Thread Bangle Bracelets via The Glossy Queen // I'm not sure if I've featured this Etsy seller in the past or not, but I revisited my favorites this week and fell in love with the colorful bangles all over again. I think you can see why.

Printed Leather Clutch // This is one of those cute little deals I just had to share. AND you can get it for 40% off!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

THANKFUL FOR: On Sunday, Flyboy and I will celebrate our anniversary. I still can't believe it was six years ago that we stood together on a blufftop overlooking the Missouri River and said "I Do" in front of our dear family and friends. In that moment, I didn't think it was possible for me to love him any more. I guess I just thought "This is it!" But something incredibly bizarre happens when you find out that your family of four (I'm talking to you, Tripp and Beez) is growing and your life together will change forever. I suddenly see my best friend in a new light; it's as though I've fallen for him all over again. How could I possibly top that original smitten feeling? Any fears I have about our life changing are met with a smile or hug that assures me this adventure is just about to get better. My friends, if you find someone who leaves you feeling hopeful, believes in YOU, and makes you laugh, hold on to that person and hold on tight. As a girl who tends to overthink EVERYTHING, the smile in his eyes makes me genuinely excited for what's to come. In a lot of ways, this baby has been the ultimate anniversary gift. It's strengthened our bond as a couple and it's given us a reason to celebrate our future. Flyboy, I love doing life with you.

FEELING: I've felt the baby move three different times in the last week. Woah! I'm not sure if you call it a muscle spasm, butterflies, or gas, but it was strange and surreal. I initially felt movement on the evening we found out my sister was accepted to Creighton, where she'll get her PhD in occupational therapy. Woop Woop! Yeah, that's why I was grinning from ear to ear in last week's post. The bebe and I definitely had a celebratory moment; I think it was aware the news was a BFD in the Fine and Richardson households. Also, I must give this child props for its festive timing; it kind of felt like someone shot a confetti gun inside my stomach. Well done, little one! I think you're already a BIG fan of your aunt. Then, a few days passed and I felt nada. I started to question whether it actually happened. Did I make this all up? Then, it moved AGAIN. This time it occurred after I cooled down from a spinning workout. Does this mean we've got a future cyclist on our hands? If that's the case, Baby Fine definitely takes after its father. The third time it moved, I knew it was a child after my own heart. I had just devoured a big juicy steak. I sat in a state of pure carnivorous bliss, beaming with delight. I like to think Julia Child would be proud of My Little Fine. After all, she always attributed her longevity to red meat and gin—attagirl! Ugh, I can't wait to be reunited with the gin part...

EATING: Last year, we celebrated our anniversary with Peonies and an ice cream cake. I have a feeling I won't be getting my grubby little paws on those bright pink blooms this year, so I'll have to turn my focus to dessert instead. Since my foodie Pinterest board consists mostly of sweets, coming up with an idea shouldn't be a problem. Now I need help making a decision. Thoughts?!

WATCHING: Every time I watch The People's Couch on Bravo, I get a little envious. It's kind of like the show that got away, yanno?! What I wouldn't give to sit with my sister, Aubrey, eat snacks, and be filmed as we comment (adorably, of course) on our fave shows each week. Call me haughty, but I think we would be SO good at it! Sometimes when I'm watching the boob tube, I like to think about all the witty things I'd say if I was on the show, then I like to text them to Aub in hopes that she's all caught up with our stories too. It kind of feels like live Tweeting, but the audience is mostly me, the dogs, and my little sister.

LISTENING TO: There's something about Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch's Good Vibrations that makes me feel better about sporting padded spandex shorts when I spin. The iconic 90s beat pushes me to pedal a little faster and work up a sweat like Mark and Donny would. It's best to listen to at the beginning of my workout, otherwise I find myself wanting to chuck my phone across the room because it feels like the longest song ever towards the end of my spinning video. It goes on FOREVER!

LOVING: So, J.Crew's Downing Tote in Stripe Leather is kind of wooing me at the moment with its adorableness. Would it work as a possible diaper bag? Am I just jumping the gun on this one because it's got stripes (swoon!), and I can rely on the fact that it will still fit me in five months?! I know it's lacking in pockets, but that's what Blair Ritchey and Baggu were made for! Am I right?! And you know I'm always going to be THAT girl with bags inside of bags. All moms and bag ladies are invited to weigh in.

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

P.S. I apologize about all the baby-related talk lately. It's kinda the only thing I've got going on at the moment. Bear with me! xo

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

The countdown has officially begun, my friends. We're just eight days away from finding out Baby Fine's gender, and I couldn't be more thrilled! That "treat yo self!" side of me is itching to buy something utterly ridiculous for our offspring. I'm talking about an article of clothing or an accessory that is over-the-top adorable and will inevitably send me into a cuteness coma. I know it may be hard to believe, but I wasn't always THIS ready to buy something for the bebe—and looking back, that was probably a good thing for our bank account! Anywho, it's taken me awhile to get to this point of excitement, but I'm officially ready to buy something that screams "My Little Fine." Until we find out on May 29th, I've got a few items hanging out in my virtual shopping carts.

P.S. Okay, I should probably come clean and tell you about the Hunter wellies I bought the bebe last week. In my defense, they were on sale, gender neutral, and purchased to celebrate the baby's first movement! That seems totally justifiable, don't you think?!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Have you heard of Babiekins Magazine?! I hadn't heard about the publication until I laid eyes on the most adorable pin floating around Pinterest. Have you seen this precious little girl bedecked in the most ridiculously large bow?! After cooing over her cuteness, I had to hop to the source—you know, just in case there was more of this adorableness floating around the web. Much to my delight, I learned there was a Tumblr AND a fancy magazine, all aimed for the "trendsetting" child. Um, excuse me?! Where are they finding these children? They're seriously stylish, and it's a little bit intimidating—like the Crewcuts catalog on steroids. I'm still not sure how that's possible. I guess you have to see it to believe it, my friends. All rambling aside, her royal cuteness' lavish head accessory pairs perfectly with this Laurent Koller work, making it the inspiration behind today's post.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Manny and Simon Taxi // The thought of waiting two more weeks to find out the baby's gender is killing me. I want to buy something already. I've currently got this toy hanging out in my cart along with a pair of Hunter Wellies.

Glitter Espadrilles // If the maternity clothing options are slim, I might as well sparkle, right?! These hit the spot.

Exotic Cuff // Just one of these lizard bracelets will add some punch to any ol' outfit. The azalea option is calling...

Clinique Chubby Stick in Pudgy Peony // Due to my Swell Rio flower predicament, I'm not sure I'll get my hands on any Peonies this year. If this is the case, I think I'll just wear this shade of color balm in its absence. It's one of m' faves!!

Welp, there you have it. Happy Friday, m' dears! Cheers to a snazzy weekend. Make it count.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

THANKFUL FOR: The flower selection in Swell Rio is hit or miss most weeks. When we first moved in, the local HEB was wooing me with its colorful bundles of fresh Tulips. I was quite pleased and thought, "I could get used to this!" Unfortunately, my habit was short-lived because I went almost THREE weeks without fresh blooms. Womp womp! No, I don't NEED Tulips or any kind of fresh flowers, but it's nice to have around. Who's with me?! While I "technically" had access to flowers, the options were scarce—Carnations or Daisies dipped and dyed in jewel tones and then sprinkled with silver glitter. Eww! Then, last Thursday, on a random trip to the grocery store, I spotted the most delightful Tulips ever. Okay, maybe I was just tired of the faux frilliness I witnessed in previous weeks, but I quickly snatched three dozen (one for each week I went without) and proceeded to prance around the store, waving like a beauty queen. I'm kidding about that last part... or am I?!

READING: A sweet friend recently gifted Bebe Fine with The Roald Dahl Treasury. It was totally unexpected, incredibly thoughtful—and yes, the gesture even made me cry. Since I first read The BFG in 4th grade, I knew Dahl would forever be my favorite author. The idea of sharing this swishwiffingingly scrumdiddlyumptious world with our little chiddler some day makes me want to celebrate with Frobscottle and Snozzcumbers.

FEELING: I can't wipe this grin off my face. I REALLY wish I could divulge the reason as to why I'm smiling from ear to ear, but I must wait for now. All I can say is that something really fabulous happened to someone who means the world to me, and as soon as I can dish the deetz, you can guarantee I'll be shouting this great news from the rooftops. Until then, I'm going to just sit here, soak up this feeling of absolute delight, and take random breaks throughout the day to celebrate with a happy dance. I sure hope this baby knows how to move like Elaine Benes because it's time to make way for The Little Kicks.

EATING & DRINKING: Every day I look forward to a few simple things: Club Crackers, cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes, and a tall glass of orange juice with lots of pulp. I obviously don't eat or drink them together, but I look forward to enjoying each of these items daily. In the past, my dad has asked if I have any cravings. Although none of these are terribly exciting, I think they qualify.

WATCHING: Oh Joy's new video series, "Dressing the Bump," couldn't have premiered at a better time. Hallelujah! For some reason or another, I'm seriously stumped when it comes to maternity style. While looking at the options available, I've realized that being preggers is a style all in itself. I'm honestly not sure if I'm down with it completely. I like my clothes to have structure (fitted) with clean lines. Loose and flowy aren't m' thing. Most maternity clothing seems to be knitted, which I understand—you want to feel comfortable. But if it's not knitwear, there's some sort of ugly ruching that goes on in the arm or torso region. I get what they're trying to do, but it's not very flattering. It just looks kind of hideous and matronly. Last week in San Antonio, I picked up a few dresses (several knit and one shirt dress—score!), and I'm doing my best to keep an open mind. Thankfully, Joy presented a few pieces (Sonnet James) that I found adorable and she seems to really emphasize color and accessories, which I can get down with.

LISTENING TO: I can't help but hum the tune Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, and I'll tell you why. Since we moved in, a family of birds has created a nest above our carport door. "It's the truth. It's actual. Everything is satisfactual." Flyboy thinks it's adorable because a big part of him wishes he was Dr. Dolittle. He has a soft spot for all animals, and I have a feeling we'd own an incubator if I allowed it. On Sunday, he took a picture of the nest with my phone and we counted FOUR eggs. FOUR blurry eggs!!! That's right, it looks as though FB is getting in touch with his paternal side. As a result, we can't use this particular door because a.) we might frighten the birds, b.) we'll stir up the gnats or flies who've also taken residence in the carport and buzz around the nest, or c.) we stand a serious chance of getting shat on whenever we enter or exit the house. In fact, as I type this post, I hear the little bird family singing—like Mr. Bluebird's on my shoulder. It would also feel like a wonderful day if I didn't have to take the long way to empty the trash, or The Rig wasn't constantly covered in bird droppings. My hope is that by singing this song, I accept the fact that these birds have complete control over our current living situation. "What a wonderful feeling. What a wonderful day!"

LOVING: When I saw these Mille Pom-Pom Baskets, I knew it was going to be a nursery MUST. However, the price tag and sold-out status left me feeling blue. About a week after my initial Pinterest discovery, I saw an adorable DIY inspired by the Eliza Gran bins on CAKIES. Yahoo! This is precisely the kind of low-maintenance craft I can handle. It's time to whip out the yarn and spray paint.

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

As a self-proclaimed color lover, I take great pride in presenting bright and punchy posts to my readers each week. However, a BIG part of my heart beats wildly for the abstract works of Robert Motherwell and Franz Kline. I can't deny the way I felt when I saw "Elegy to the Spanish Republic" for the very first time, or witnessed the dramatic and calligraphic freedom of Kline's canvases in person. The feelings artwork provokes and the memories attached to those works are one of life's greatest gifts. I've never been one who's short of words, but those black-and-white beauties leave me speechless every time. Similarly, I got to relive those cathartic experiences when I stumbled upon the work of French artist, Laurent Koller. Outstanding, isn't it?! Once again, the words escape me, but my heart flutters—both of which are positive signs the art speaks to me. What could be more lovely than that?!

P.S. I scoured the web in an effort to learn more about Koller; however, there wasn't much available. If for some reason you love his work and you're provoked to do some research, send whatever you find my direction. Aside from Saatchi, Pinterest, and Facebook, I didn't find much, but I know I want to learn more!

Monday, May 12, 2014

"The details are not the details. They make the design." — Charles Eames

Happy Monday, m' dears! The last time I shared one of these posts, we just arrived in Swell Rio. It's amazing how much things can change in a month's time. It feels really good to pull into our driveway, see a yard that's filling in quite nicely with grass (erm, weeds), and walk through the front door to see a place that's slowly become ours. With a few new pieces of furniture and repurposing some items we already own, the house feels settled. The dogs share a sense of ownership, too. Tripp watches squirrels run around outside and Beesly helps me water the potted plants. It's pretty adorable, honestly! A month ago, I couldn't see us getting to this point. We were too overwhelmed with boxes and a list of tedious to-dos. Now I can't help but look around and smile. I can see our little family filling this space with memories. Of course, that could also have something to do with the fact that I hear Flyboy assembling the crib down the hall. Ha Ha! I'm probably just elated to see the BIG reveal once it's all put together.

While he does the hard work, I might kick up my feet and do something really cliche—like watch What to Expect When You're Expecting on the DVR. It beats reading the scary and ill-designed book, and I'm sure this whole pregnancy gig is exactly how Cameron Diaz and J-Lo portray it. That seems like sound enough logic, right?! Before I proceed to be a cheese ball and embarrass myself anymore, you should tell me what you did this weekend. I'm just dying to know!

THE DETAILS:

Both the UPS man and the FedEx man have commented on our door mat. I still don't know the gents on a first-name basis, but I feel like this makes me one step closer to really making that personal connection. It's just a matter of time!

I've been getting a lot of emails and texts from family and friends asking for our new address. Oops! How did I forget to send "Change of Address" cards?! It totally slipped my mind and feels very unlike me. What a rebel, Ash! Each week, I'm working to send a piece of snail mail to every one on my current correspondence list. That's kinda like sending a "Change of Address." I'm not really sure what's gotten into me. I guess it's time to buy some more stationery.

I should probably confess that Big Tex spent about two weeks in a storage unit with no water or light. I didn't know what to do with him in between our move from San Antonio and Swell Rio. I was afraid to tell you the disturbing details. I couldn't take him with us to Missouri or D.C., and I felt terrible. Much to my delight, he survived and even thrived in his plant prison cell. As soon as we got to our new place, I repotted him, fed him some fertilizer, and made his leaves all shiny. I'm happy to announce that he's even more handsome than before. In fact, I currently count four new leaves sprouting. Just to be clear, I am talking about my Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree here.

After five hours of driving to and from San Antonio this weekend, Flyboy and I shared a few hilarious discussions. In two weeks, we'll celebrate our 6th anniversary. At times, you think you know everything you could possibly know about your significant other. Then a random childhood story catches you off guard and you grow even more smitten than before. Traveling long distance isn't so bad when you're guaranteed a good story or two.

If I share a picture of fresh green juice, that totally helps balance the chocolate bar I devoured entirely by myself, right?!

Why do our dogs look so traumatized in these photos? It's like they should be in an ASPCA commercial. Go on and cue the Sarah McLachlan music. I'm sorry I want to dress you up in a party hat, Beesly. I apologize for inviting you on a truck ride, Tripp. Goodness gracious! I hope our kid enjoys dressing up or posing for photos more than these two.

Enough about me, what did you do this weekend? What made you click your heels? As always, thanks for stopping by.

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